Professionals in agricultural logistics join forces

The European market leader in truck trailers and swap bodies, KRONE Commercial Vehicle SE, is now strengthening its commitment to the agricultural logistics sector. Together with the subsidiary Knapen Trailers from Deurne in the Netherlands, which has been part of the KRONE Group since 2019, the company is expanding its product portfolio to cover the entire process from field to plate. In addition to the KRONE TX and GX agricultural transport professionals, Knapen is now launching the KX walking floor trailer which is an absolute asset in the agricultural sector thanks to its versatile uses.

Spelle, June 2023. Last year, KRONE had already started to provide machines from Deurne in the Netherlands to KRONE factory representatives via their network. These are closely linked to the agricultural customer base and have been able to accompany numerous demonstrations in recent months, further confirming the relevance of this product category by farmers and contractors. Especially for transport work over medium to long distances, the combination of agricultural truck and walking-floor trailer proves to be extremely interesting from an economic and labour-economical point of view.

Perfect equipment for multifunctional use
The KX series comprises two models, the KX 650 and the KX 770, with load volumes of up to 65 m3 and 77 m3 respectively, depending on the equipment. Both models are characterised by diverse features which are ideal for multifunctional use.  
Thanks to its lightweight aluminium construction, the unladen weight of the walking floor trailer is very low and, in conjunction with the loading space cover – as a roll tarpaulin as standard, optionally as a hydraulic folding roof with net or waterproof PowerSheet – ensures optimum utilisation of the available loading volume. In addition to all types of agricultural goods, this can also be used for pallets, big bags and straw bales. This ensures a high degree of flexibility with regard to the goods to be transported throughout the year. With the aid of powerful hydraulic pumps, the walking floor trailer can be completely unloaded via the hydraulically operated tailgate comfortably by radio remote control within approx. 3.5 minutes. Bulk materials such as grain can also be unloaded via the grain pusher integrated in the tailgate. Due to the horizontal unloading by the moving floor, there is no danger of overturning. In addition, all functions can be carried out without getting out of the vehicle cab using the radio remote control – this is not only convenient, but also very safe. The comprehensive overall package is rounded off by a new, modern design.

Sales launch in September
Knapen relies on the many years of competent experience of KRONE Agriculture for its sales. The new KX models will therefore be available for purchase from September this year, initially at selected KRONE dealers in Germany and later directly in other European countries. The KRONE factory representatives remain as the first point of contact for any questions and as an interface to the manufacturer Knapen.

With this expansion of the product portfolio and the close cooperation between KRONE and Knapen, farmers and contractors can benefit from tailor-made solutions which meet the needs of the industry.

1) Who is the KRONE Group?
The family-run KRONE Group is one of the largest manufacturers of commercial vehicles and agricultural machinery. In the core fields of today's megatrends, the company acts as a pacesetter for the industries in many subject areas such as transport, mobility and agriculture. Customer-focused, state-of-the-art hardware and software solutions continuously drive the success of globally distributed customers. In the 2021/2022 business year, the KRONE Group generated sales of around 2.5 billion euros and currently employs more than 5,700 people. More information at www.krone-group.de

2) Who is KRONE Agriculture?
In agricultural technology, KRONE focuses on forage harvesting technology. KRONE agricultural technology is used in more than 60 countries worldwide. Whether farmer, machinery ring or contractor – KRONE guarantees the right machine for every need. The portfolio ranges from disc mowers to rotary tedders, round balers and large square balers to loading and forage transport wagons. The flagships of the range are two self-propelled machines, the BiG M mower conditioner and the BiG X forage harvester. With the BiG X 1180 (with 1156 hp), KRONE has the most powerful agricultural machine in the world in its range. Spelle Maschinenfabrik currently employs around 2,300 people. Turnover in the agricultural technology sector was around 828 million euros in the last financial year.

3) Who is KRONE Commercial Vehicle?
This refers to the KRONE Commercial Vehicle Group. At five plant locations (Werlte, Herzlake, Dinklage, Lübtheen and Tire/Turkey) with around 2,500 employees, the company has developed further core competences in the areas of digitalisation, automation, sustainability and electrification in addition to its production expertise in the field of trailers. A very good example of this is the KRONE eTrailer. In the last business year, the Commercial Vehicle Group generated a turnover of 1.689 billion euros.

4) Who is KNAPEN?
Knapen Trailers, based in Deurne in the south-east of the Netherlands, is a manufacturer specialising in aluminium walking floor trailers since 1984. With a one-stop-shop solution for service, spare parts, rental, leasing and second-hand trade, Knapen offers its customers first-class service and exemplary know-how. The family business was acquired by KRONE in 2019.

Press contact:
Markus Steinwendner
Head of Marketing KRONE Agriculture
+49 5977 935 188 20
markus.steinwendner@krone.de
www.krone.de